“The Scream,” which is a representation of an anxiety attack he had on a bridge, chillingly conveys the mental anguish that gripped tormented artist Edvard Munch (1863 – 1944) for most of his life. His agonizing sadness, which he believed fueled his creativity, was caused by one sister’s commitment to an asylum, and the deaths of his other sister, mother and father before he was 25. Although Munch is known for this single image, he was one of the most prolific and influential figures in modern art.

Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (1863 – 1944) created haunting paintings conveying the grief of his own life. Initially inspired by Impressionism and Post-Impressionism while painting in Paris and Berlin, Munch developed his signature style filled with agonizing images of sickness and death. His profound sadness, which he believed fueled his creativity, was caused by one sister’s commitment to an asylum, and the deaths of his other sister, mother and father before he was 25. An exhibition of his work in Berlin was considered so disturbing that authorities closed the show. The powerful influence of Munch’s enormous body of work is still felt in today’s graphic art.